Faust: Peak 8 expansion support

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While I can't imagine I will ever be accused of being too conservative, I have to disagree with Mitchell Weiss on the Peak 8 expansion. While anyone who knows me knows I am not in favor of an unregulated corporate free for all, I do believe in a somewhat limited government. To me, the job of government should be to perform the tasks that business and individuals are unable or unwilling to do, and when it comes to the economy, they should be their to make sure the playing field is level and fair.

One of the reasons I have been so opposed to Vail Resorts' Peak 6 expansion plan is that I do not believe that any corporate entity can have the best interest of the environment first and foremost, and it is the government's job to protect the old growth forests, lynx habitat, and quiet human powered activities in the area.

The reason I don't think the town or U.S. Forest Service should intervene in the Breck Grand Vacations expansion at Peak 8 is twofold:

First, Peak 8 is not a pristine old growth forest. It is at the busiest base of the busiest ski area in North America. There is no environmental or open space interest to protect. Also, my understanding is that they are making a contribution to preserve Cucumber Gulch.

Second, I do not believe it is the role of the government to protect one business at the expense of another. It is unethical to expect regulations to protect some lodging companies by preventing other lodging companies from expanding.

I have been skiing Breck for 30 years, and the "Bergy" will be missed. However, I would love to see expansion taking place by doing what Grand Vacations is doing, and replacing older properties with updated ones.